Best Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota (2026)

Align powered by Sanford Health Plan is the best Medicare Advantage company in South Dakota, with a median maximum annual cost exposure of $4,262, which is $1,754 below the next-lowest option among the five carriers we analyzed. This lower cost ceiling can provide greater financial protection if you need medical care during the year.

UnitedHealthcare and Wellmark Advantage Health Plan have the broadest availability in our review, with plans covering nearly two-thirds of South Dakota counties. Aetna Medicare has the highest annual cost exposure among the carriers we reviewed, but all of its plans have a 4-star CMS rating and are available across nearly half the state. Medica has the most plan choices, with four options across 18 counties.

South Dakota has 13 non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans from five carriers, covering more than 43,000 beneficiaries in 2026. Plan availability varies by county, and the average county has eight plans to choose from. Just over half of plans have a $0 premium, while maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits range from $3,300 to $6,750.

South Dakota has 13 Medicare Advantage plans from five carriers in 2026, all PPOs. Focus on four factors when comparing your options:

The median monthly premium for Medicare Advantage in South Dakota is $0, but a $0-premium plan isn't necessarily the lowest-cost option overall. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $3,300 to $6,750, with a median of $5,500. Depending on how much care you use, a plan with a monthly premium and lower cost sharing could cost less over the year than a $0-premium plan with a higher out-of-pocket limit.

All plans in the state are PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans, which provide more flexibility to use out-of-network providers than HMOs. You'll pay less for in-network care and more when using out-of-network providers.

• South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE): The state's free Medicare counseling program. Staff and volunteer counselors answer coverage questions, walk you through your plan options and help identify programs that reduce your costs. You can reach SHIINE at (866) 854-5465.
• South Dakota Department of Social Services: The state agency overseeing Medicaid and Medicare programs in South Dakota, with guidance on eligibility and coverage coordination.
• South Dakota Division of Insurance: The state regulator for licensed insurance companies and agents. Use it to verify a plan or agent's credentials before enrolling.
• Medicare.gov Plan Finder: The Medicare Plan Finder searches plans by your ZIP code and displays 2026 premiums, out-of-pocket costs, drug coverage and CMS star ratings side by side.

Our analysis of Medicare Advantage plans in South Dakota uses a scoring methodology that emphasizes affordability and quality. We evaluate three factors to identify plans with the best value for your health care needs. These factors are Affordability (50%), Star Ratings (40%) and Availability (10%).

• Affordability (50%): Cost accounts for half of our overall score because it affects your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
• Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C medical coverage scores and Part D prescription drug scores on a 1 to 5 scale. Plans with higher ratings earn better scores in our analysis.
• Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. A provider operating in more states is more likely to maintain your coverage if you relocate and typically has more infrastructure for member services.